MPs pledge to spread kindness in Parliament
PETALING JAYA: Kindness is not something often associated with politics but in Malaysia, the student-driven #StandTogether National Kindness Week movement seems set to change that.
MPs from the government and opposition have pledged to support the movement by spreading kindness in Parliament starting today, the first day of National Kindness Week.
Among the MPs who pledged their support are Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Hannah Yeoh, Fahmi Fadzil, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Steven Sim.
“In this age of social media, politicians need to be aware that they have to treat each other kindly because if we can promote good values, the people who follow us, who listen to us, will in turn be kinder,” said Fahmi.
Students across Malaysia will be organising Kindness Projects in school this week in an effort to create
a new culture of kindness.
Hishammuddin believes the campaign will resonate with Malaysians.
“I believe that Malaysians deep down are good people and I think if we appeal to them and say enough is enough, we can get this campaign running,” he said.
“So I congratulate what you are doing.
“It’s most needed and I support it with all my heart.”
Other MPs who had earlier publicly pledged to support the campaign include Nurul Izzah Anwar, Khairy Jamaluddin, Tony Pua, The Star for Kasthuri Patto, Teo Nie Ching and Dr Maszlee Malik.
“We often think that strength is equated to our ability to talk down to others, when real strength is about empowering and celebrating the strength of others,” said Nurul Izzah in her pledge video on R.AGE.
The #StandTogether National Kindness Week movement was initiated by R.AGE and property developer SP Setia in response to the growing number of bullying cases in school and an increasingly toxic environment on social media.
Close to 3,000 students, teachers and members of the public have registered for the campaign so far this year.
Several of the MPs also pledged to take the Kindness Challenge, an interactive, five-day challenge on WhatsApp, where participants are sent “Kindness Missions” every morning which they have to complete during the day.
Members of the public can join the MPs on the challenge via WhatsApp by going to bit.ly/ stchallenge2019.
Those that complete all five Kindness Missions will unlock a special surprise.
Schools can still sign up to support the National Kindness Week by going to www.standtogether.my, where they will be given free materials and resources developed by experts to help create a more positive learning environment.
To find out more about the #StandTogether campaign, email alltherage@thestar.com.my or call 017-283 4406.